CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela, November 11 (PIA)- This province was recently cited by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as this year’s Most Outstanding Disaster-Prepared or READY 24/7 of all the provinces in the region.

The award was received by no less than Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC)-consultant Ret. Gen. Benito Ramos and other provincial officials and employees.

John Castaneda, DILG regional director, said the recognition is fit for the province as it prioritized disaster preparedness and mitigation on top of its development agenda.

The province has also demonstrated an acceptable level of disaster preparedness for, and responses to, natural calamities and human-induced disasters as evidenced by some of its implemented innovative projects in the areas of environmental management, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

Aside from its disaster-related innovative projects, the province has also upgraded its rescue equipment and communication gadgets, including the skills and knowledge of its disaster respondents through series of trainings to ensure their efficiency in disaster operations.

Meanwhile, the towns of San Mateo and Villaverde and this city won the same award under the 1st-3rd, 4ht-6th class municipality and city categories, respectively.